Folding carton

ABSTRACT

A blank for forming a foldable carton is provided, along and the carton formed thereby, where the blank includes a center panel having a first side and an adjacent second side, a first side panel attached to the center panel at the first side, a second side panel attached to the center panel at the second side, where the first and second side panels intersect at a corner of the center panel so as to form a unique acutely angled arrangement at said intersection which is configured to form a corner of the carton having minimal visible raw edges.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention concerns a folding carton and, more particularly, afolding carton having the formal appearance of a rigid setup carton.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Cartons are widely used for containing consumer products. In the retailsector particularly, cartons are highly prevalent as gift boxes and asgeneral packaging for purchased goods. Such cartons are typically of twotypes: rigid and foldable.

Rigid setup boxes typically have tighter seams and minimal visible rawedges and, thus, provide a more formal appearance than foldable boxes.However, rigid setup boxes require manual assembly which is often quitelabor intensive and costly. Typically, a rigid setup box blank is cutfrom a larger sheet of paperboard. The blank is then folded by hand intobox form and stay tape is applied to the corners in order to maintainthe shape of the box. A covering or overwrap is then applied to the boxto decorate and complete the rigid setup box.

Foldable boxes comprise blanks, typically top and bottom, which includeseams to allow the blanks to be readily folded into box form. The blanksare typically shipped in the unfolded state to the premises of the enduser or to a facility proximate thereto where the boxes are assembledmanually or by machine. Foldable boxes are generally more convenient andless expensive to manufacture and assemble than rigid setup boxes.However, foldable boxes have wider seams and more visible raw edgematerial at corners and elsewhere to give the foldable boxes a lessformal appearance than the rigid setup boxes.

Thus, a carton is needed which has the assembly conveniences of afoldable box but which provides the neat, formal appearance of atraditional rigid setup box.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a foldable carton comprising a top and a bottomformed by blanks which include unique features discussed herein whichresult in the carton having corners with tight narrow seams and minimalvisible raw edges.

In one embodiment, a blank for forming a foldable carton is provided,comprising a center panel having a first side and an adjacent secondside, a first side panel attached to the center panel at the first side,a second side panel attached to the center panel at the second side,wherein the first and second side panels intersect at a corner of thecenter panel so as to form an acute angle at said intersection. As willbe discussed herein in detail, this acutely angled intersection allowsthe first side panel to hinge tightly atop the second side panel to forma corner of the carton having minimal visible raw edges.

In another embodiment, a blank for forming a foldable carton isprovided, comprising a rectilinear center panel having first and secondopposite sides and third and fourth opposite sides and first, second,third, and fourth side panels respectively attached to the first,second, third, and fourth sides of the center panel. The blank includesfirst and second side tabs attached to sides of the first side panel andextending freely therefrom and third and fourth side tabs attached tosides of the second side panel and extending freely therefrom. Thefirst, second, third, and fourth side tabs form acutely angledintersections with the third and fourth side panels at corners of thecenter panel. Again, as will be discussed further herein, this acutelyangled intersection is advantageously responsible for forming corners ofthe carton having minimal visible raw edges.

In still another embodiment, the invention provides a carton, comprisinga bottom, a first side extending generally perpendicular from thebottom, and a second side extending generally perpendicular from thebottom. The first side intersects the second side at a corner of thecarton, where the intersection comprises an acute angle and a linear cutformed by edges of the first and second sides. This intersection resultsin a corner of the carton having minimal visible raw edges.

The above-discussed and other features and advantages of the apparatusand method will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in theart from the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foldable carton according to oneexemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an exemplary blank for forming the cartonof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial view of the blank of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of another exemplary blank for forming thecarton of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial view of the blank of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view of the blank of FIG. 2 in a partially assembled state;and

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the blank of FIG. 2 in a fullyassembled state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows a foldable carton 10 in one exemplary embodiment of theinvention. The carton 10 includes a top 12 and a bottom 14, where thetop 12 is configured to fit over and to engage the bottom 14. The top 12and bottom 14 are both formed of one-piece blanks which are folded,manually or by machine, into the configuration shown in FIG. 1. Asdiscussed in more detail herein, the box 10 includes minimal visible rawedges at corners 16 thereof and narrow, less visible seams 18 at edgesthereof, thus giving the carton 10 a more formal appearance, similar tothat provided by rigid setup boxes.

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of a blank 20 which forms the bottom 14 of thecarton 10. The blank 20 includes a center panel 22 which, in thisexample, is generally rectangular in shape having side edges 24, 26, 28,and 30. The blank 20 further includes side panels 32, 34, 36, and 38which are each generally rectangular in shape and which are attached tothe center panel 22 at respective side edges 24, 26, 28, and 30. Theblank 20 also includes side flaps 40, 42, 44, and 46 attached to therespective side panels 32, 34, 36, and 38 at edges thereof opposite fromthe center panel 22. The side flaps 40, 42, 44, and 46 are substantiallyrectangular elements which extend outwardly from the respective sidepanels 32, 34, 36, and 38. The side panels 32, 34, 36, and 38 and therespective side flaps 40, 42, 44, and 46 have a length essentially thesame as a length of the respective side edges 24, 26, 28, and 30 of thecenter panel 22, as is clearly shown in FIG. 2. The blank 20 furtherincludes side tabs 48, 50, 52, and 54 attached to and extending from therespective side panels 32 and 36. Particularly, the side tabs 48 and 50are respectively attached to side edges 56 and 58 of the side panel 32.The side tabs 52 and 54 are similarly attached to respective side edges60 and 62 of the side panel 36.

All of the side tabs 48, 50, 52, and 54 include cut scores 55 formedtherein. The cut scores 55 comprise a plurality of parallel lines scoredinto the respective side tabs 48, 50, 52, and 54 at angle ofapproximately forty-five degrees relative to the side edges 24 and 28 ofthe center panel 22. The cut scores 55 extend into the side tabs 48 adepth which is sufficient to facilitate adhesive attachment of the sidetabs 48, 50, 52, and 54 to the respective side panels 34 and 38, as willbe discussed herein further in detail. Of course, the exact number,angle, and depth of scoring of the cut scores 55 may vary as desired inaccordance with the broad scope of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged partial view of the blank 20 of FIG. 2.Particularly, FIG. 3 shows section A of FIG. 2 of the blank 20 whichcomprises the intersection of the center panel 22, the side panels 36and 38, and the side tab 54. As shown in the drawing, both of the sideedges 30 and 62 of the center and side panels 22 and 36, respectively,intersect generally perpendicularly with the side edge 28 of the centerpanel 22 at point 64. Extending from the point 64 are a side edge 66 ofthe side panel 38 and a side edge 68 of the side tab 54.

The side edge 66 of the side panel 38 includes a common portion 70located proximate to the point 64, an offset portion 72 adjacent thecommon portion 70, and first and second extending potions 74 and 75which extend from the offset portion 72 to an outer edge of the sideflap 46. Similarly, the side edge 68 of the side tab 54 includes acommon portion 76, an offset portion 78 proximate to the common portion76, and an extending portion 80 which extends from the offset portion 78to an outer edge of the side tab 54. The common portions 70 and 76 ofthe side edges 66 and 68, respectively, lie immediately adjacent oneanother. The blank 20 may include a cut therethrough which delimits thecommon portions 70 and 76. Alternatively, the blank 20 may includescoring or perforation in the area of the common portions 70 and 76 suchthat when the panel 38 and/or flap 54 are folded the scoring orperforation is separated so as to form the common edge portions 70 and76. The common portions 70 and 76 extend from point 64 a distance X ofapproximately 1/32 of an inch (i.e., 0.03125 in.).

The offset portions 72 and 78 are disposed adjacent to the commonportions 70 and 76, respectively. The offset portions 72 and 78 extendfrom one another in diverging directions, as shown in FIG. 3. The offsetportion 72 is a straight-line section which angles away from the commonportion 70 at approximately forty-five degrees in a direction toward theside panel 38. The offset portion 78 first extends collinear with thecommon portion 76 and then angles away from the common portion 76 atapproximately forty-five degrees in a direction toward the side tab 54.Importantly, the intersection of the offset portions 72 and 78 form anacute angle, i.e., a “V-shape”, the nadir of which is proximate to thecommon portions 70 and 76. As discussed in more detail below, thisV-shape contributes to the overall formal appearance of the carton 10 byreducing the amount of visible raw edges at the corners 16 thereof.

The first extending portion 74 of the side edge 66 is a straight-lineportion at an edge of the side panel 38. This first portion 74 extendsfrom the offset portion 70 at a slight angle inward toward the sidepanel 38 such that the panel 38 tapers slightly inward proximate to theside flap 46. The second extending portion 75 is a straight-line portionat an edge of the side flap 46. This second portion 75 extends from thefirst portion 74 at a slightly outward angle. That is, the angle of thesecond portion 75 gives the side flap 46 a slightly flared corner distalfrom the side panel 38. The extending portion 80 of the side edge 68 ofthe side tab 54 is a straight-line portion which angles divergently fromthe common portion 78 such that the side 54 tapers toward its outeredge. As will be discussed herein in greater detail, these features ofthe extending edge portions 74, 75, and 80 contribute to the reducedseam width at the corners 16 of the carton 10.

The blank 20 show in FIGS. 2-3 is shown purely by way of example. Thedimensions and relative sizing of the center and side panels, flaps, andtabs, may all be altered and varied as desired. For example, FIG. 4shows a plan view of the blank 20 which includes all of the previouslydiscussed panels, tabs, and flaps, but presents them in dimensions andrelative sizing which is different from that shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 5shows an enlarged view of the section B of FIG. 4 which comprises theintersection of the center panel 22, the side panels 36 and 38, the sideflaps 44 and 46, and the side tab 54. Here, the edge 66 of the sidepanel 38/side flap 46 and the edge 68 of the side tab 54 are configuredidentically to that discussed above with regard to FIG. 3 with the sameoffset features, etc., except here the relative dimensions of thepanels, flaps, and tabs, is varied.

Generally, the offset portions 72 and 78 of the respective side edges 66and 68 of the blank 20 serve to offset the first and second extendingportions 74 and 75 of the edge 66 from the extending portion 80 of theside edge 68. That is, a space is created between the extending portionsof the side edge 66 of the side panel 38/side flap 46 and the extendingportions of the side edge 68 of the side tab 54. As shown in FIG. 5, theoffset portion 78 of the side edge 68 offsets the extending portion 80by a distance Y of approximately 0.044 inches. As mentioned above, theextending portion 80 angles in toward the tab 54 to thus give the tab 54a tapered appearance. This configuration further increases the spacingbetween the tab 54 and the side panel 38/side flap 46. As also shown inFIG. 5, the offset portion 72 of the side edge 66 offsets the extendingportions 74, 75 by a distance Z of approximately 0.0625 inches. Asmentioned, the first extending portion 74 is angled in toward the sidepanel 38, thus serving to increase the spacing between the panel 38 andthe side tab 54. As will be discussed herein in more detail, theincreased spacing between the side panel/flap and the side tab providedby the offset portions and the shaping of the various panel/flap/tabelements result in less bulk and an overall cleaner, more formalappearance at the corners 16 of the carton 10.

The side edges 66 and 68 of the respective side panel 38/side flap 46and the side tab 54 are discussed in detail herein only by way ofexample. Every other corner of the blank 20 includes the discussedV-shaped intersection and the offset features. That is, each of the sidetabs 48, 50, and 52 include the side edge 68 having the common portion76, the offset portion 78, and the extending portion 80. Similarly, theside panel 34 and the side flap 42 include the side edge 66 on one sideadjacent to the side tab 50 and on an opposite side adjacent to the sidetab 52. Thus, as will be discussed, every resulting corner 16 of thebottom 14 of the carton 10 has the formal appearance provided by theV-cut and offset features.

Fold lines are provided on the blank 20 at the interface of the variouspanels, flaps, and tabs. For example, referring to FIG. 2, fold linesextend along side edges 24, 26, 28, and 30 of the center panel 22.Additional fold lines extend between the side panels 32, 34, 36, and 38and respective side flaps 40, 42, 44, and 46. Finally, fold lines extendbetween the side panels 32 and 36 and the respective side tabs 48, 50,52, and 54. These fold lines act as hinge points for the various panels,flaps, and tabs and permit the flat blank 20 to be folded into thebottom 14 of the carton 10, as will now be described.

The carton 10 of FIG. 1 may be assembled by the end user, e.g., a retailstore, etc., or at an offsite location. The top 12 and the bottom 14 ofthe carton 10 may be assembled by hand or by machine, as desired. First,the side flaps 40 and 44 are folded over top of the respective sidepanels 32 and 36. The side flaps 40 and 44 may be adhered to therespective side panels 32 and 36 with a bonding agent. Then, the sidepanels 32 and 36, with side flaps attached, are folded into a positiongenerally perpendicular to the center panel 22. The side tabs 48, 50,52, and 54 are then brought into a position generally perpendicular tothe side panels 32 and 36. The side panels 34 and 38 are folded upwardinto a position generally perpendicular to the center panel 22. Finally,the side flaps 42 and 46 are folded downward toward the center panel 22,over the side tabs 48, 50, 52, and 54. The side tabs 48, 50, 52, and 54may be adhesively bonded on a first side thereof to the side panels 34and 38 and/or may be adhesively bonded on a second side thereof to theside flaps 42 and 46. Additionally and/or alternatively, the side flaps42 and 46 may be adhesively bonded at a central portion to the sidepanels 34 and 38, respectively.

As mentioned, during assembly of the bottom 14 of the carton 10,adhesive may be applied to the side tabs 48, 50, 52, and 54 tofacilitate attachment thereof to the side panels 34 and 38. The adhesiveis received in the cut scores 55 and bonds with the side tabs 48, 50,52, and 54 at their interior. Some of the adhesive remains at thesurface of the side tabs 48, 50, 52, and 54 and is thus available forbonding with the side panels 34 and 38. This use of the cut scores 55 isparticularly advantageous when the blank 20 is formed of a material notconducive to adhesive bonding such as, for example, a foil-linedpaperboard. In such a circumstance, the cut scores 55 allow the foilouter surfaces of the side tabs 48, 50, 52, and 54 and the side panels34 and 38 to readily and effectively adhere.

The adhesive bonding agent may be applied to the side tabs 48, 50, 52,and 54 and/or to the side panels 34 and 38 in any desired amount andconfiguration sufficient to bond these various items as discussed above.Preferably a plurality of lines of the adhesive are formed on the sidepanels 34 and 38. For example, three lines of adhesive may be formed onthe panels 34 and 38 in a direction generally perpendicular to the sideedge 30 of the center panel 22. One of these lines can be formed at acentral region of the panels 34 and 38 while the remaining two lines canbe formed toward opposite outer edges of the panels 34 and 38. Thecenter line of the adhesive bonds with the side flaps 42 and 46 whilethe outer lines of adhesive bond with the side tabs 48, 50, 52, and 54and the cut scores 55 as discussed above. Of course, the amount anddisposition of the adhesive on the blank 20 may be varied as desired.For example, the adhesive may be applied to the side panels 34 and 38 ashorizontal lines, circular formations, etc. Additional adhesive may beapplied to the side tabs 48, 50, 52, and 54 on the side opposite formthe cut scores 55 in order to promote attachment of the side tabs 48,50, 52, and 54 with the side flaps 42 and 46.

Similarly, the side flaps 40 and 44 are bonded to the side panels 32 and36 by application of an adhesive agent thereto in any desired amount andconfiguration. For example the adhesive may be placed on the side panels32 and 36 in the form of a plurality of lines oriented generallyperpendicular to the respective side edges 24 and 28 of the center panel22. The side panels 32 and 36 may include three of such lines, oneformed in the center of the panels and one at each opposite endproximate to the side tabs 48, 50, 52, and 54.

As discussed herein, the blank 20 forms the bottom 14 of the carton 10.The blank 20 is only discussed herein by way of example. A similar blankis used to form the top 12 of the carton 10. Such blank is identical tothe blank 20 but has a center panel which is slightly larger than thecenter panel 22 of the blank 20. This ensures that the top 12, onceassembled, fits over the bottom 14 in order to form the carton 10.Otherwise, the blank which forms the top 12 is substantially identicalto the blank 20 in that it includes the unique edge features at theintersection of the side tabs with the side panels proximate to thecenter panel. That is, the blank which forms the top 12 of the carton 10includes the edges 66 and 68 disposed at each corner thereof, asdiscussed above with respect to the blank 20.

The edge features of the side tabs 48, 50, 52, and 54 and of therespective side panels 32, 34, 36, 38 and side flaps 40, 42, 44, 46 givethe corners 16 of the carton 10 a formal appearance by minimizing thevisible raw edges and by providing tight, narrow seams. Specifically,the V-shaped intersection of the side edges 66 and 68 (see FIGS. 3 and5) result in an essentially squared corner 16 with minimal visible edgesof the blank 20. As shown in FIG. 6, the unique intersection of the sidetab 50 and the side panel 34 allows the side tab 50 to hinge over theside panel 34 with a very small tolerance thus providing a tight corner16. More particularly, the side tab 50 and side panel 32 hinge such thatthe common portion 76 and the offset portion 78 of the side edge 68 ofthe side tab 50 are positioned above the side edge 26 of the centerpanel 22 of the blank 20. The blank 20 includes raw edges 82, i.e.,untreated edges, extending around a perimeter thereof. However, as shownin FIG. 6, the hinging of the side tab 50 results in little to no rawedges 82 visible at the corner 16. FIG. 7 shows a bottom view of theassembled bottom 14 of the carton 10. Here, the side panel 34 is foldedupward adjacent to the side tab 50 (not visible) and the side flap 42(not visible) is folded downward over the side tab 50. In this view, itcan be seen that the common portion 70 of the side edge 66 of the sidepanel 34 remains beneath the side panel 34, beneath the side panel 32,and beneath the side tab 50. Here again, the visible raw edge 82 at thecorner 16 is minimized. Additionally, the resulting seam 84 is verynarrow and unobtrusive.

In this way, the carton 10 has the appearance of a rigid setup box but,in fact, is a foldable box with all the associated conveniences. Ofparticular advantage is that the carton 10 may be assembledautomatically by machine at high speeds such, for example, approximatelyforty to sixty cartons per minute. This represents a significantimprovement in assembly time over traditional setup boxes which requiremuch slower, more labor intensive hand assembly.

As alluded to herein, the blank 20 described above, and the resultingcarton 10, are presented by way of example only. The carton of theinvention may take on any desired shape or size, for example, the cartonmay be rectangular, square, curvilinear, or any combination of these. Inthis way, the blanks which form the carton may be correspondingly shapedor sized accordingly. Also, the various dimensions discussed herein withrespect to offset spacing, etc., are only provided as exemplaryapproximations and may vary as desired.

For example, FIG. 8 shows a blank 100 in an other embodiment of theinvention. The blank 100 includes many of the elements of the blank 20discussed herein above. Similar elements are represented herein withlike reference numerals and are not re-introduced nor discussed hereinin detail, instead reference is made to the above description of theblank 20.

The blank 100 includes the center panel 22 surrounded by the side panels40, 42, 44, and 46. Importantly, the blank 100 includes the cornerfeatures 64, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78 discussed above which result in theblank 100 being formable into a formal carton top and/or bottom withminimal visible raw edges and tight corner seams. In addition to sharingmany of the features with the blank 20, the blank 100 further comprisesan extending flap 102 which extends from the side flap 40 and isapproximately the same shape and size as the center panel 22. Theextending flap 102 meets the side flap 40 at a fold line 104 arrangedgenerally parallel to the side edge 24. The fold line 104, generally, isa feature formed into the

The blank 100 is manually or machine formed into a top or bottom of acarton, similar to that shown in FIG. 1. As with the blank 20, if theblank 100 is to be formed into a carton top, it is sized slightly largerthan if formed into the carton bottom. This allows the top to fit snuglyover the bottom of the carton. In forming the carton top/bottom, theblank 100 is folded and stayed similar to that described above regardingthe blank 20. That is, the side panels 32 and 36 are folded into aposition perpendicular to the center panel 22; the side tabs 48, 50, 52,and 54 are folded inward toward the side panels 34 and 38; the sidepanels 34 and 38 are then folded into a position perpendicular to thecenter panel; and the side flaps 42 and 46 are then folded downward overthe side panels 34 and 38 and over the side tabs 48, 50, 52, and 54toward the center panel 22. The side flap 44 is also folded downwardover the side panel 36 toward the center panel 22. The side flap 40 isthen folded inward toward the center panel 22. The extending flap 102 isarticulated about the fold line 104 in the opposite direction, i.e.,away from the center panel 22. This allows the side flap 40 to fold overthe side panel 32 and the extending flap 102 to be brought intoengagement with the center panel 22. That is, the extending panel 102 isfolded at the fold line 104 such that the extending panel lies on thecenter panel 22 at the interior of the carton top/bottom. The fold line104 aligns with and is disposed atop the side edge 24. The extendingflap 102 lies atop and completely covers the center panel 22. Variousadhesives may be used to secure the various side panels, flaps, and tabsof the blank 100, as discussed concerning the blank 20. This describedorder of assembling the blank 100 into a carton top or bottom is ofcourse exemplary. Various flaps and tabs may be arranged in differentorders if desired, so long as the carton top or bottom is ultimatelyproduced. For example, the extending flap 102 may be folded about thefold line 104 so as to be positioned atop the side flap 40, side panel32, and the center panel 22 prior to erecting the side panel 32. In thissituation, the side panel 32 would then rotated into its perpendicularposition relative to the center panel 22 and the side flap then biaseddownward toward the center panel 22 such that the extending flap 102assumes the above described end position upon the center panel 22.

The inclusion of the extending flap 102 in the blank 100 effectivelyprovides a double-layer at the center panel 22 when the blank 100 isformed into a carton top or bottom. This gives the carton increasedrigidity and provides an additional printing surface for graphics, text,etc. With regard to printing, when the blank 100 is formed into a cartontop/bottom, the outer surface of the extending blank 102 is exposed atthe interior of the carton. This outer surface is typically finished andis better suited for retaining print thereon than the opposite innerside of the blank 100 of which the center panel 22 is composed.

The blanks discussed herein are constructed of any desired materialwhich is pliable enough to be folded into the carton and yet rigidenough to provide the carton with sufficient strength for its intendeduse. For example, the blanks may be constructed of a paper material, acardboard, a plastic, etc., or any combination of these. The materialforming the blanks may have one or more finished surfaces such that theresulting carton includes one or more outer and/or inner finishedsurfaces. Side edges of the material forming the blank are generally nottreated, thus resulting in the raw edges 82 discussed hereinabove.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, while exemplaryembodiments have been shown and described, various modifications andvariations can be made to the present apparatus and method disclosedherein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.Accordingly, it is to be understood that the various embodiments havebeen described by way of illustration and not limitation.

1. A blank for forming a foldable carton, comprising: a center panelhaving a first side and an adjacent second side; a first side panelattached to the center panel at the first side; a second side panelattached to the center panel at the second side; wherein the first andsecond side panels intersect at a corner of the center panel so as toform an acute angle at said intersection.
 2. The blank of claim 1,wherein the intersection is delimited by a first edge of the first sidepanel and a second edge of the second side panel, wherein the first andsecond edges each include adjacently disposed common portions anddiverging offset portions, the diverging offset portions forming theacute angle, the adjacently disposed common portions forming a linearcut.
 3. The blank of claim 2, wherein the offset portion delimits aspacing between the first and second edges.
 4. The blank of claim 2,wherein the first edge further comprises a first extending edge whichtapers in toward the first side panel and where the second edge furthercomprises a second extending edge which tapers in toward the second sidepanel such that the first and second extending edges diverge from oneanother in a direction away from the intersection.
 5. The blank of claim2, wherein the first side panel is foldable at the first side into anupright position relative to the center panel and wherein the commonportion of the first edge is pivotal at the intersection into a positionatop the common portion of the second edge.
 6. The blank of claim 5,wherein the second side panel is foldable at the second side into anupright position relative to the center panel and wherein the commonportion of the second edge is pivotal at the intersection into aposition atop and in contact with the common portion of the second edgeto form a corner of the carton having minimal visible raw edges.
 7. Theblank of claim 1, wherein the first and second side panels areconfigured to be oriented into a position generally perpendicular to thecenter panel such that a corner of the carton is formed at theintersection having minimal visible raw edges.
 8. The blank of claim 2,wherein the first side panel includes a side tab extending therefromcapable of folding into a position generally perpendicular to aremaining portion of the first side panel and wherein the side tabcomprises the first edge.
 9. The blank of claim 1, further comprising alinear cut at the intersection, wherein the linear cut is delimited bythe first and second side panels, wherein the linear cut extends from avertex of the acute angle and terminates at the center panel, andwherein the acute angle is approximately forty-five degrees.
 10. A blankfor forming a foldable carton, comprising: a rectilinear center panelhaving first and second opposite sides and third and fourth oppositesides; first, second, third, and fourth side panels respectivelyattached to the first, second, third, and fourth sides of the centerpanel; first and second side tabs attached to opposite sides of thefirst side panel and extending freely therefrom; third and fourth sidetabs attached to opposite sides of the second side panel and extendingfreely therefrom; wherein the first, second, third, and fourth side tabsform acutely angled intersections with the third and fourth side panelsat corners of the center panel.
 11. The blank of claim 10, wherein thefirst, second, third, and fourth side tabs and the third and fourth sidepanels are configured to be oriented into a position generallyperpendicular to the center panel such that corners of the carton areformed at the acutely angled intersection, wherein the corners haveminimal visible raw edges.
 12. The blank of claim 10, wherein each ofthe acutely angled intersections comprises adjacently disposed commonportions and diverging offset portions, the diverging offset portionsforming an acute angle.
 13. The blank of claim 10, further comprising alinear cut at each of the acutely angled intersections, wherein thelinear cut extends from a vertex of an acute angle at the respectiveintersection and terminates at the center panel, wherein the acute angleis approximately forty-five degrees.
 14. The blank of claim 10, whereinthe first, second, third, and fourth side tabs include cut scores formedin a surface thereof.
 15. The blank of claim 14, wherein the cut scoresare disposed linearly on the first, second, third, and fourth side tabsat an angle to the third and fourth sides of the center panel.
 16. Acarton, comprising: a bottom; a first side extending generallyperpendicular from the bottom; and a second side extending generallyperpendicular from the bottom; wherein the first side intersects thesecond side at a corner of the carton; wherein the intersection at thecorner comprises an acute angle and a linear cut formed by edges of thefirst and second sides; wherein the intersection forms the corner withminimal visible raw edges.
 17. The carton of claim 16, wherein the acuteangle is approximately forty-five degrees, wherein the linear cut isdelimited by a first edge of the first side and by a second edge of thesecond side, and wherein the linear cut extends from a vertex of theacute angle and terminates at the bottom.
 18. The carton of claim 17,wherein the first side includes a first edge proximate to theintersection and the second side includes a second edge proximate to theintersection, wherein the first and second edges diverge from oneanother in a direction away from the intersection.
 19. The carton ofclaim 16, further comprising an extending panel which extends from thefirst side panel and includes a first portion and an adjacent secondportion wherein the first portion is shaped and sized approximatelyequivalent to the first side panel and the second portion is shaped andsized approximately equivalent to the center panel.
 20. The carton ofclaim 19, wherein the first side panel is foldable into a positionsubstantially perpendicular to the center panel, the first portion ofthe extending panel is foldable into a position atop the first sidepanel substantially perpendicular to the center panel, and the secondportion is foldable into a position atop and in contact with the centerpanel.
 21. The carton of claim 20, wherein the extending flap comprisesa printing surface which is exposed when the extending flap folded intothe position over the center panel.